DIY Wall Framing Corners

Building structurally sound wall sections requires a mastery of wall framing corners. To frame a corner properly, you must take into consideration the installation of electrical wiring, communication cables and insulation. A proper corner also provides a firm, level surface for securing wall coverings and trim materials. You can use 2x4 or 2x6 stock for this task.

Considerations

Many building codes address the framing of corners and intersections. Find out the requirements for your location. Also, blueprints often include corner framing details.

Generally with wall corners and intersections, you form a post by bringing at least three studs together. The post plays three roles: a structurally sound conjunction of adjacent walls, nailing support for the exterior sheathing and a solid backing for interior finishes and trim. At a minimum, corners and intersections must include at least two studs.

90-Degree Interior Corner

The stud/block/stud or interior 90-degree corner, one of the most popular methods for framing a corner, seems to have been around forever. This traditional framing technique consists of nailing three complete studs together. A variation on this method sandwiches spacers or short pieces of 2x4 blocking between two studs. Secure the boards with 16-penny nails.

90-Degree Exterior Corner

This energy-efficient framing method creates a one-inch gap between studs for placing cable or electrical wiring. Use insulating spray foam to fill in the rest of the gap. You need to secure one stud at the end of each of the walls. Cap the end of the exterior wall with one stud. Then place a stud on the end of the intersecting wall perpendicular to the cap.

Visualize the intersecting wall as a horizontal line. Now imagine a vertical line going down from the right end of the horizontal line. This vertical line is the exterior wall. You need to install a third stud along the interior border of the exterior wall but one inch away from the cap. The third stud must also be parallel to the stud on the intersecting wall section.

Alternative Inside Corner

An alternative technique for framing inside corners involves attaching two studs at 90-degree angles to the top and bottom plates of the two intersecting walls. The studs touch together at the inside angle. Imagine an open book. The book's seam would be comparable to the inside angle. With this technique, the top plate on each of the wall sections should be doubled. The horizontal 2x4 board that makes up the top of a wall section forms the top plate.

The top and bottom plates must be trimmed where they extend beyond the studs. This creates edges that are flush with the wall studs. The gap between the studs should be filled in with wood blocking to provide a solid nailing surface.